//------------------------------// // - XIX - // Story: Solem Perditum // by PropMaster //------------------------------// - XIX - Celestia stayed by the unicorn stallion’s side for an hour, watching over him, before an idea suddenly crossed her mind. It seemed unlikely that this guard had stumbled into the same trap she had: no doubt Twilight and Cadance had sealed off the area. This meant that he had been sent here for a reason, most likely as a volunteer for a mission to attempt to locate her. She wondered why he’d failed to prepare spells to protect himself... and realized that it was possible that he simply hadn’t been strong enough to maintain the spells after the jarring relocation that was part of the trap. Celestia herself had only had mere moments to react to the loss of air and extreme temperature drop after being teleported to the moon, and her abilities were far beyond even the most competent royal guard. Celestia curled closer to the guard, extending a protective shield over both of them, and then closed her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep. It only took her a few minutes, her willpower strong enough to overcome her own lack of need for rest. Celestia felt the odd falling sensation that came with her transition from being awake to sleeping. She found herself in a different part of Canterlot, now. This time, it was Pony Joe’s Doughnut Shop, a personal favorite place of hers. A dream-Joe was there, humming to himself as he bustled about the back end of the shop. Celestia smiled, glancing down at the table before her. There was a plate of doughnuts. Of course. Celestia reached for a doughnut, but paused before she could grip one. She had more pressing matters than indulging her subconscious. Closing her eyes, she focused. “Luna.” She felt a hoof on her shoulder. “Celestia. It is good to see thou.” “I found one of my Royal Guards with me on the moon.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she turned to face her sister. “He nearly perished. Who sent him after me without giving him adequate protection?” Luna frowned. “It was he that volunteered, knowing the risks. Twilight Sparkle and I did all we could to prepare him, but the trap disables wards and spells as it acts its terrible magics upon those unfortunate enough to be caught by it.” Celestia nodded sharply. “I still don’t approve. I am fine here, sister.” “No, thou are not. We sent Light Stride after thee with a gem, woven with potent magics of detection, in order to facilitate our swift location of thee. The gem will help us discern thy whereabouts,” replied Luna. “You know where I am. On the moon. It should be you that came after me, Luna, not some fragile mortal pony!” Celestia reprimanded. Luna shook her head. “Thou do not understand, sister. Thou are not on the moon.” Celestia opened her mouth to retort, and just as quickly closed it, her eyes growing wide. Luna nodded solemnly. “Thou are not on the moon. Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, and I have been to the lunar surface and scoured for signs of thee. None were found, neither on the dark nor light side.” “I... don’t understand.” “Nor do we. Twilight Sparkle is currently using the gem to scry thine location. Hopefully with its powerful magic signature to hone our search, we will be able to find Light Stride, and thou as well.” Celestia pondered this quietly for a moment, before nodding. “What should I do, then? Light Stride is hurt... wherever I am. Regardless of our true location, the place we appear to be in is a harsh and airless climate.” “Trust nothing,” stated Luna calmly. “Thy senses have been fooled. However, for the time being, perhaps it is best to... play along?” Celestia nodded. “Very well. I’ll rest and wait for Light Stride to recover, and perhaps together we can begin to puzzle out our situation, while you, Twilight, and Cadance discern our true location. I’ll sleep again soon, and you can inform me of your findings then.” “Very well, sister.” Luna reached out and pulled Celestia into a hug. “Be careful.” “I will.” Celestia willed herself to wake up... and nothing happened. Luna leaned back from her sister, frowning. “Thou shouldst awaken, sister. Though thou are not on the moon, the dark presence still lingers in thy dreamscape.” “I can’t wake up.” Luna frowned. “That is odd.” “I’m being held in this dream, I think,” said Celestia, slowly standing up. “By whom?” asked Luna, standing as well, turning to watch the the restaurant carefully. “I do not know.” The two sisters stood quietly, moving in cautious steps until they were flank-to-flank, covering each other’s back. Celestia frowned. “I can sense something.” “The presence comes!” cried Luna, her wings spreading open as her horn lit the diner with a blue glow. “I feel it,” replied Celestia, her own horn igniting. The surrounding streets of canterlot filled with dark shadows, the buildings growing dim and then disappearing altogether, until all that remained was the diner. Celestia scowled, lowering her head, her eyes focused as her defensive spells flared to life, surrounding her in a shimmering matrix of golden energy. The shadows suddenly coalesced, gaining a form of thick, black smoke, which swirled around the windows. The glass began to vibrate violently. “Here it comes,” said Luna.